Combat in Germany 1946 (part II)

Germany 1946

The M4 tanks of the 707th Tank Battalion and a few US armored cavalry troops had been hard pressed by superior German forces on the German/Belgian border.When German heavy tanks arrived the American tanks knew their time was up. 

However, fate was to intervene and a platoon of US heavy tanks was ordered up from supporting US infantry in the area to engage their German counterparts, a task they relished!

Four M34 heavy tanks arrived to take on the Tiger II's, three carried the devastating 120mm gun and one the older, yet still potent, 105mm gun.

Four US heavy tanks arrived just as the German heavy tanks were crossing the rail road tracks into the town.

Lt. Fox's M34A1 arrived on the eastern edge of the village with the best field of fire against the Germans.

Sgt. Hitchcock's M34A1 moved forward towards the church where the cavalry troop was holed up.

There first sight of the German King Tigers.

Lt. Houston in his M4A3E8, realized the situation had just changed in his favor.

The 120mm high velocity gun was ready for action.

Hitchcock's tank moved past the destroyed recon jeep.

Sgt. Guzman and his tank take aim at Germans in the center of the village.

Cpt. Walsh's 105mm armed M34A1 moved to the western edge of the village where the jumbo was stuck.

A German Tiger II was crossing the rail line where the T-34 was burning.

The surviving panther took aim at a US tank in the distance.

The crew watched in horror as all shots bounced off or failed to penetrate.

Reports came on the radio of US heavy tanks in the vicinity.

The King Tiger on the eastern edge faced off against the M34's.

The Panzer IV/70 was now on the wrong side of the tracks as it had begun to encircle the US Shermans.

Cpt. Walsh took position to cover the remaining US Sherman's on that side of the village.

A fate would have it a target did present itself.

The 105 spoke and the King Tiger burned.

That was a great relief to the Jumbo crew.

The final panther decided to smoke and get out of the area, after the Tiger to its right went up.

Reversing!

Hitchcock's tank was hit multiple times by the long 88's and the driver was injured.

The tank bailed out at the Church.

The 88's shots were true.

But that M34 was not alone!

Lt. Fox knocked out the Tiger.

Lt. Fox was a veteran tanker with a great crew!

This tank had slugged it out with almost all the German heavies in its time.

The bazooka team from the cavalry troop got in on the action.

The retreating Panzer IV/70 didn't make it over the tracks, as the German forces withdrew.

Lt. Houston's platoon had held the village, with a little help.

After the battle it was time to get everything back in working order.

Sgt. Guzman and the remaining heavy tanks moved to the rail line.

Keeping watch on any other German attacks.

Armored might!

Cpt Walsh watching over the fields to the south of the rail line.

Secured for the time.